I Teach Because I Love

This is one of the young women who every day attend our technology class at www.kotdwarahelp.org. These girls from North India come from a background of terrible poverty and need every opportunity to find success in life.

I teach because I love.
 
Some more gold from Jim Knight, internationally renowned educator
(www.instructionalcoaching.com and www.corwin.com/focusonteaching/) who speaks on instructional coaching and the art of conversation.
 





​​5 perspectives necessary for rich, powerful, authentic dialogue in our classrooms and schools.

1. HUMILITY – I will take the stance of learning from you, rather than needing to be the one who is right. I will listen more than I talk.
2. HOPE – I believe that the future can be better than the present and that I can make a positive difference. As we work towards solving a problem, I see that we are both part of the solution. My goal is to encourage and empower you to be at your best.
3. FAITH – You have something to teach me.
4. CRITICAL THINKING – As we reflect together, I respect your opinions and decisions
5. LOVE – Our conversation must be mutually uplifting. I have your best interests at heart. I want you to be at your best. I will do all I can to help you to learn and to flourish, and I know that you will do the same for me.

 
I’m inspired by the thought that ‘love’ must be at the centre of our relationships. Why is it that we are afraid to have the word ‘love’ as part of the vocabulary of our schools, and even at the centre of our pedagogy. Love motivates us to want what is truly best for others.
 
A couple of weeks ago at our staff meeting, I challenged my team to consider the words of 1 Corinthians 13. Most of us know this passage well because we hear it so often at weddings. I reckon these words pack a powerful punch when we apply them to the context of the conversations, the partnerships and the relationships that we have in our classrooms, and in our common rooms, the corridors, the playground and across our school community.
 
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
 
I teach because I love.

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